Swiss tennis star Roger Federer has won his 20th Grand Slam singles title, beating Croatian Marin Cilic in a tense Australian Open final. It is also Federer’s sixth title in the Australian event.Roger Federer of Switzerland beat Croatian Marin Cilic in the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Sunday, clinching his 20th Grand Slam title.
Defending champion Federer, 36, won the match 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-1. The final took place indoors in the Rod Laver Arena because of the hot conditions outside.
His now six Australian Open titles put him on a par with Serbian Novak Djokovic and Roy Emerson of Australia.
‘The fairytale continues’
“I’m so happy. It’s unbelievable,” Federer said after his victory. “Of course, winning is an absolute dream come true — the fairytale continues for me.”
Cilic, 29, has now lost nine of ten matches against Federer, his only win coming in the semifinals of the US Open in 2014, where he claimed his first major title.
“Big congratulations to Roger and his team — it’s amazing what you guys do,” Cilic said after the game, describing the path to the final as “an amazing journey for me.”
Earlier on Sunday, Mate Pavic of Croatia and Canada’s Gabriela Dabrowski combined to beat Rohan Bopanna of India and Timea Babos of Hungary 2-6, 6-4, 11-9 in the mixed doubles final.
Read more: Caroline Wozniacki wins Australian Open final
More to follow.
tj/rc (AP, Reuters, AFP)
